Spirit Vine (photo by Karri Bowman)
SPIRIT VINE conjures a retro-future where folks still read The Doors of Perception, seek enlightenment in shaman directed spiritual sweat-lodges and go Bathing at Baxters.
They’re bringing their reverb drenched tribal love rock to Spaceland Thursday May 6 along with Roughed Up Folk – My Pet Saddle – and members of Dios performing as Special K & Flying J (who will be performing songs from an upcoming Beck covers album).
Spirit Vine’s GOLDEN ep has been getting some well-reviewed attention, and the band is working on a full length album while weathering some changes. I had a chance to interview their dynamic lead vocalist Jacquelinne and here without furthur comment is our conversation:
WES (Mister Nervous):
You guys have come a long way as a band since I first saw you at 14 Below, but right away I was impressed with the message you were trying to get across in the music and words. Could you try to describe the intention, the message that drives your music?
Jacquelinne (Spirit Vine)
Anything that inspires, helps people grow, transforms, pulsates, makes people imagine…I am really into cycles right now…death and rebirth, moving out of the past and keeping your intentions as honest as possible.
WES:
Your recent GOLDEN ep has been getting some very positive write-ups online lately and you’re still recording new stuff. Are you planning to release a full cd in the future?
Jacquelinne:
Hell yeah! We are in the midst of writing it right now….so amazing to see how the sound evolves…like watching a baby grow in front of your eyes….the process will be a little different too….we used to record in a back house/Wooden Ship in Echo Park…now we have graduated to Kelly’s farm in Silverlake…we will also be in good hands with Anthony Caruso who will be recording this record…everything else is a secret
WES:
Three of you were in Wake Up Incinerate (I still play that cd sometimes) and Spirit Vine is a very different thing. What prompted you to form Spirit Vine?
Jacquelinne:
Honestly, Gabe and I started smoking a lot of weed…we were definitely opening doors of perception…we got really into old Pink Floyd, Syd Barett, Bob Dylan ( I know, I know I started my Bob Dylan phase later…at least I admit it) Memphis Jug Band, and a bunch of old blues. We started writing in a style that felt really honest and coming from the soul and knew we were flying in the right direction.
WES:
How do you compose your songs? Is it individuals bringing complete songs to the band or is it more of a democratic group effort?
Jacquelinne:
There is no format…it started as Gabe and I writing a lot and then became whatever feels good…whatever is good for the tune
WES:
Do you think the “album” era is really over (full cd’s over 30 minutes often produced to be consistent in theme and sound) or is there still interest in longer works by artists?
Jacquelinne:
Oh no…I hope not! I love collecting records and if money served me right I would collect a lot more….one of my favorite things is the smell of old vinyl and geeking out to all of the cool artwork, lyrics, thank yous, who played what on this record, blah blah blahs
WES:
People have tried to describe your sound but is there a way you like to characterize it?
Jacquelinne:
Maybe if Mazzy Star had a drug problem and had a love child with Keith Richards who was also sleeping with Stevie Nicks who then injected Howlin’ Wolf and Sun House into the veins of Lennon’s imagination, Lou Reed’s swagger and Iggy Pop’s fist….phew!
WES:
Do you guys do a lot of reading? What is it you’re reading recently?
Jacquelinne:
Uh yeah! My mom always jokes that I am exactly like my dad…enjoying myself in a room full of books…it is so weird it is hysterical….right now I am reading Crime and Punishment, Jazz, The Sorcerer’s Way and well How To Read the Tarot….Gabe is currently working on Cash by Johnny Cash and onto Joseph Campbell…again and again and again and again
WES:
You have been playing some more high profile venues lately like the Hotel Cafe, what do you think has been the most responsible for the band’s rise in visibility?
Jacquelinne:
Weed
WES:
The band is going through some changes recently and it looks like you’re going to have a new bass player. Is there anything you’d like to say about that?
Jacquelinne:
Yeah anyone wanna join us? No, really, we are pretty sad about it…we are loosing an OG member and the backbone to the sound….he always has a place with us.
WES:
What’s your favorite food (or if you prefer what is your favorite color)?
Jacquelinne:
Pizza and salsa and tacos and avocados and… wine… I don’t care that it is not a food!
WES:
Is there anything you want to add, or something you’re just aching to say?
Jacquelinne:
We ain’t dead…yet
I remember 1 night after the Amphiyard Party a couple years ago…and Jacky from Spirit Vine had said that they wanted to sound like the Rocking Horse People and the rest is history. We are 1 of those bands that’s put ourselves through hell to give the audience an idea what it’s like if you struggle, the songs will write themselves. So that being said a shout out was much deserved. Anyway wish S.V the best of luck, but the martyrs must be remembered, because we destroyed our lives for the audience and our music.
Cheers,
Aaron James
RHP
[...] SPIRIT VINE has been charging ahead, refining their psychedelic roar with the help of new bassman Steve Campos, who has managed to not only fit in, and re-invigorate the energy level of the band, but actually give the group an even more iconic look on stage and screen (I know, I know, who thought that was even possible?). You can read my interview with lead singer Jacquelinne just before Steve joined up here. [...]